Suspect who allegedly assaulted Beaver Twp. officer has history of DV and probation violation
Most recently he appeared in court in May of 2023 for violating probation in a stalking charge.
We’re learning more about the suspects criminal history in the North Lima incident Friday night.
The call to Beaver Township Police was initially for a domestic dispute involving 35-year-old Zachary Crespo who has a history of the charge.
In November of 2022, Crespo was charged with domestic violence. He pleaded no contest, got probation then violated it just one month later.
Most recently he appeared in court in May of 2023 for violating probation in a stalking charge.
Now, he is being held in jail for felonious assault on a police officer and theft of a firearm.
Police won't specify what happened Friday night - but will only tell us that an altercation broke out between a Beaver Township officer and Crespo.
“The subject ended up getting the officer's gun and fleeing on foot to a wooded area,” Sheriff Jerry Greene of the Mahoning County Sheriff's office said. “Initially the call went out as a shooting, that an officer had potentially been shot, and we quickly realized that was not the case.”
Eric Datillo, Beaver Township Police Chief confirmed that the officer was not shot but wouldn’t specify his injuries.
Neighbors on Old Hickory Court told 21 News that during the incident they were not given any information but in the end were glad it was such a strong police presence.
Several departments, including state highway patrol and the FBI, were on the scene using drones to find Crespo. Law enforcement was in contact with Crespo for the majority of the night negotiating with him - which ultimately led to what Sheriff Greene is calling “an outcome that nobody was able to get hurt.”
Crespo is scheduled to be in court Tuesday, May 16.